Health Insurance & Pension Enrollment in Japan (2026): A Newcomer's First-Weeks Guide

Quick answer (30 seconds): Public health insurance and pension are mandatory for foreign residents in Japan — they are not optional. If your employer enrolls you in company insurance (Shakai Hoken / 社会保険), that single enrolment usually covers both your health insurance and your pension, and your company handles it. If you are not on company insurance (student, freelancer, part-timer, dependent, between jobs), you enroll yourself at your city or ward office in National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 / kokuho) and National Pension (国民年金). Do it in your first weeks, right after you register your address. And from June 2027, unpaid premiums can block a visa renewal — so getting this right early protects your status later.

ℹ️ Amounts and reduction rules differ by municipality and by your income. Treat the figures below as typical guidance and confirm the exact numbers and counters with your own city/ward office.

The two systems, and which one applies to you

There are two public obligations, and how you join them depends on your work situation:

	If your employer enrolls you (Shakai Hoken / 社会保険)	If you enroll yourself (national plans)
Health insurance	Employees' Health Insurance — via your company	National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) at the city/ward office
Pension	Employees' Pension (厚生年金) — via your company	National Pension (国民年金) at the city/ward office
Who handles it	Your employer (deducted from salary)	You, at your municipal office
Typically applies to	Full-time company employees (and some part-timers)	Students, freelancers, many part-timers, dependents, people between jobs

The key takeaway: if you're not on company insurance, the responsibility is yours, and you handle both at the same place — your local city or ward office.